Apparatus and method for retrieving a golf ball from a cup

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method is disclosed for hands-free retrieval of a golf ball from a putting green hole, where the apparatus includes a tilting disk placed in the hole that can be operated by a golf club handle to rotate the disk to pop up or eject the golf ball from the hole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/024,346 filed May 13, 2020, which is incorporated by reference into this application in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to the field of retrieving a golf ball from a cup on a putting green, in particular, an apparatus for hands-free retrieval of the golf ball from the cup.

BACKGROUND

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic that spread world-wide in the early part of the year 2020, there is a concern that a golfer, knowingly or unknowingly, infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus could transfer that virus onto fomites such as a flagstick or putting green cup on a putting green by reaching into the cup to retrieve their golf ball thereby leaving an infected surface where a subsequent golfer retrieving their golf ball from the cup and making physical contact with the cup or flagstick could acquire the virus and become infected.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide an apparatus and method for a hands-free retrieval of a golf ball from a putting green cup.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and method is provided for hands-free retrieval of a golf ball from a putting green hole, where the apparatus can comprise a tilting disk placed in the hole that can be operated by a golf club handle to rotate the disk to pop up or eject the golf ball from the hole.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, an apparatus can be provided for retrieving a golf ball from a hole comprising a hole liner cup configured for receiving a flagstick ferrule of a flagstick, the apparatus comprising: a disk configured to be disposed in the hole and further disposed around a shaft of the flagstick when the flagstick ferrule is inserted into the hole liner cup, the disk further configured to support the golf ball when the golf ball is putted into the hole; and a disk support mechanism, wherein the disk is configured to rotate or tilt on or about the disk support mechanism whereupon the golf ball is ejected out of the hole when the disk is rotated or tilted on or about the disk support mechanism.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the disk can comprise an opening disposed therethrough, the opening configured to allow the shaft of the flagstick to pass therethrough.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the disk can be substantially circular and configured to rotate or tilt within the hole without binding with the hole or the hole liner cup.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the disk can further comprise a slot opening providing communication from the opening to an edge of the disk, the slot opening permitting the disk to be placed around the shaft of the flagstick by twisting or manipulating the disk.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the disk support mechanism can comprise a tilt lever collar comprising upper and lower ends, the collar configured to be disposed around the shaft with the lower end disposed above the flagstick ferrule, the upper end comprising an angled face wherein the disk comprises an angled or tilted position when resting on top of the upper end, the disk further configured to tilt or rotate on the upper end when a linear force is applied downwardly on the disk thereby ejecting the golf ball from the hole.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the tilt lever collar can further comprise a slot opening, the slot opening permitting the tilt lever collar to be spread open and be placed around the shaft of the flagstick.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the tilt lever collar can further comprise two halves that are configured to be placed around the shaft of the flagstick and be fastened together with fasteners.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the disk support mechanism can comprise a pivot axle rotatably coupling the disk to the flagstick.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the disk support mechanism can comprise a pivot pin disposed through the flagstick, the pivot pin configured to support the disk when the disk in a resting position on top of the pivot pin.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the disk can comprise hinge pins extending outwardly on opposing edges thereof, and the disk support mechanism comprises hinge pin holes disposed on opposing sidewalls of the hole liner cup configured to receive the hinge pins, wherein the disk rotates or tilts about the hinge pins.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the disk support mechanism can comprise a cylindrical sleeve configured to be disposed in the hole liner cup, the cylindrical sleeve further comprising an apex configured for the disk to pivot thereupon.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a method can be provided for retrieving a golf ball from a hole comprising a hole liner cup configured for receiving a flagstick ferrule of a flagstick, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an apparatus for retrieving the golf ball, the apparatus comprising: a disk configured to be disposed in the hole and further disposed around a shaft of the flagstick when the flagstick ferrule is inserted into the hole liner cup, the disk further configured to support the golf ball when the golf ball is putted into the hole, and a disk support mechanism, wherein the disk is configured to rotate or tilt on or about the disk support mechanism whereupon the golf ball is ejected out of the hole when the disk is rotated or tilted on or about the disk support mechanism; installing the apparatus in the hole; and when the golf ball is in the hole, applying a downward linear force onto the disk whereupon the disk is rotated or tilted thereby ejecting the golf ball from the hole.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can further comprise rotating or tilting the disk about a pivot axle rotatably coupled the disk to the flagstick.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can further comprise rotating or tilting the disk on a pivot pin disposed through the flagstick, the pivot pin configured to support the disk when the disk in a resting position on top of the pivot pin.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can further comprise rotating or tilting the disk about hinge pins extending outwardly from opposing edges thereof.

Broadly stated, in some embodiments, the method can further comprise rotating or tilting the disk on an apex disposed on a cylindrical sleeve disposed in the hole liner cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side cross-section elevation view depicting one embodiment for an apparatus for retrieving a golf ball from a putting green cup.

FIG. 2A is a top plan view depicting a disk for use with the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a cross-section side elevation depicting the disk of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view depicting a second embodiment of the disk of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3B is a cross-section side elevation depicting the disk of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a side elevation view depicting a tilt lever collar for use with the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a front elevation view depicting the tilt lever collar of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a top plan view depicting the tilt lever collar of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a side elevation view depicting a second embodiment of the tilt lever collar of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5B is a front elevation view depicting the tilt lever collar of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a top plan view depicting the tilt lever collar of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a side cross-section elevation view depicting a golf ball having entered a putting green cup comprising the apparatus of FIG. 1 prior to being retrieved using a golf club inserted into the cup to operate the apparatus.

FIG. 6B is a side cross-section elevation view depicting the golf ball being ejected from the cup by operating the apparatus with the golf cup.

FIG. 6C is a side cross-section elevation view depicting the apparatus being reset after the golf club has been retracted from the cup.

FIG. 7A is a side cross-section elevation view depicting a second embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a side cross-section elevation view depicting a third embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8A is a side elevation view depicting a third embodiment of the tilt lever collar of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 8B is a front elevation view depicting the tilt lever collar of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a top plan view depicting the tilt lever collar of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D is a side cross-section view depicting the apparatus of FIG. 1 using the tilt lever collar of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a top plan view depicting a third embodiment of the disk of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 9B is a cross-section side elevation depicting the disk of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a front cross-section elevation view depicting the disk of FIG. 9A rotatably attached to a hole liner cup.

FIG. 10B is front cross-section elevation view depicting the disk of FIG. 10A in a tilted position.

FIG. 11A is a side elevation view depicting a fulcrum sleeve for use with a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11B is a top plan view depicting the fulcrum sleeve of FIG. 11A

FIG. 11C is a side cross-section elevation view depicting the fulcrum sleeve of FIG. 11A disposed in a hole liner cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment can also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of an apparatus for retrieving a golf ball from putting green hole 11 disposed in putting green 10 is shown. A typical putting green hole has a nominal diameter of 4.25 inches. In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise tilt lever collar 30 disposed on top of flagstick ferrule 14 or pin 51 and tilt lever disk disposed on top of tilt lever collar 30 when ferrule 14 is inserted into ferrule receptacle 18 of cup 12 disposed in hole 11. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, tilt lever disk 20 can comprise opening 21 disposed through the approximate center thereof such that flagstick 15 can pass therethrough without obstruction and binding with tilt lever disk 20, as shown in FIG. 1. Opening 21 can comprise a diameter sufficient to allow flagstick 15 to pass through and still allow disk 20 to tilt relative to flagstick 15 without binding. A typical flagstick comprises a diameter no greater than 0.75 inches in accordance with most rules for the game of golf. Tilt lever disk 20 can be made of any resilient material, such as metal, plastic, fiberglass-reinforced resin or any other suitable material as well known to those skilled in the art. Tilt lever disk 20 can comprise a diameter less than the diameter of putting green hole 11 that can allow disk 20 to rotate freely within the hole and not bind with the sidewalls of hole 11 or hole liner cup 12. Tilt lever disk 20 can comprise a thickness to maintain sufficient rigidity to support a golf ball putted into hole 11 and to eject said golf ball when the apparatus is operated as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, tilt lever collar 30 can comprise angled face 31 and passageway 32 passing therethrough. This can allow tilt lever collar 30 to be disposed on top on flag ferrule 14, wherein flagstick 15 passes through passageway 32 without obstruction and binding therewith, as shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, tilt lever disk 20 can be disposed on top of angled face 31 thereby placing tilt lever disk 20 in a tilted configuration relative to flagstick 15. When golf ball 13 enters hole 11, golf ball 13 can come to rest on top of a lower edge of tilt lever disk 20 as shown in FIG. 1. Tilt lever collar 30 can be comprised of the same materials that can be used for tilt lever disk 20, as described above.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a second embodiment of tilt lever disk 20 is shown, wherein tilt lever disk 20 can further comprise slot opening 23 disposed thereon providing communication between opening 21 and an outer edge of tilt lever disk 20. In this embodiment, tilt lever disk 20 can be twisted or manipulated to open up slot opening 23 to allow for the placement onto flagstick 15 wherein flagstick 15 passes through opening 21, as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C, a second embodiment of tilt lever collar 30 is shown, wherein tilt lever collar 30 can further comprise slot opening 33 disposed thereon providing communication between passageway 32 and an outer sidewall of tilt lever collar 30. In this embodiment, tilt lever collar 30 can be spread open or manipulated to open up slot opening 33 to allow for the placement onto flagstick 15 wherein flagstick 15 passes through passageway 32, as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown. In FIG. 6A, golf ball 13 a enters hole 11 by following path 41 resulting in it coming to rest in position 13 b on top of tilt lever disk 20. In this position, the golf ball can be retrieved from hole 11 by inserting the handle of golf club 16 into hole, wherein the handle is directed towards tilt lever disk 20 on the opposite side of flagstick 15, as shown in FIG. 6A.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the handle of golf club 16 has contacted tilt lever disk 20 causing it to tilt on top of tilt lever collar 30 which acts as a fulcrum. In so doing, the opposing side of tilt lever disk 20 lifts up thereby lifting up the golf ball, labelled as 13 c. If tilt lever disk 20 is struck with sufficient force from the handle of golf club 16, tilt lever disk 20 can eject the golf ball out of hole 11 along path 43 to a position 13 d outside of hole 11. Referring to FIG. 6C, the handle of golf club 16 is shown retracted from hole 11, wherein tilt lever disk 20 can fall back onto a resting position on top of tilt lever collar 30. When the golf ball lands back onto green 10, the golfer can then pick up their golf ball without having to reach into hole 11 with their hands and make physical contact with flagstick 15, hole line cup 12 or hole 11, thereby removing the risk of coming into contact with any viruses deposited there previously by another person.

Referring to FIG. 7A, a second embodiment of the apparatus is shown. In this embodiment, tilt lever disk 20 can be rotatably attached to flagstick 15 via pivot axle 50. In this embodiment, tilt lever disk 20 can naturally assume a tilted resting position if the diameter of opening 21 is sufficiently larger than the diameter of flagstick 15. Referring to FIG. 7B, a third embodiment of the apparatus is shown, which is a further alternate embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 7A. In this alternate embodiment, pivot pin 51 can be disposed through flagstick 15 and tilt lever disk 20 can rest and pivot thereon provided that the length on pivot pin 51 is greater than the diameter of opening 21.

Referring to FIGS. 8A to 8C, a third embodiment of the tilt lever collar, labelled as tilt lever collar 60, is shown. In this embodiment, tilt lever collar 60 can comprise of short collar half 61 and tall collar half 62, wherein the collar halves can be assembled around flagstick 15 and then fastened together using threaded or rivet fasteners or any other suitable fastener or clip, as well known to those skilled in the art, disposed through fastener holes 63, as shown in FIG. 8D. Additional embodiments where the tilt lever collar is either incorporated into or over-molded onto the flagstick during manufacturing can also be envisioned.

Referring to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B, a third embodiment of tilt lever disk 20 is shown, wherein the disk can comprise hinge pins 70 extending from opposing edges thereof. In some embodiments, disk 20 can be rotatably attached to hole liner cup 12 via hinge pins 70 fitted into hinge pin holes 71 disposed through sidewalls of hole liner cup 12. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, golf ball 13 can come to rest on top of disk 20, which can further tilt in one direction or the other about hinge pins 70. Disk 20 can tilt in either direction until flagstick 15 comes into contact with an interior edge of opening 21. When a golf ball enters hole liner cup 12, it will come to rest on top of disk 20 on one side or the other of hinge pins 70, thereby tilting disk 20 downward on the side where golf ball 13 comes to rest on. To retrieve golf ball 13 from hole liner cup 12, a golfer can use their golf club to eject the golf ball using the method as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C to apply a downward force on the raised side of disk 20 to eject golf ball 13 from hole liner cup 12.

Referring to FIGS. 11A to 11C, another embodiment of the apparatus is shown. In this embodiment, the apparatus can comprise cylindrical fulcrum sleeve 80 that can be placed in hole liner cup, as shown in FIG. 11C, wherein flagstick 15 can be disposed through opening 81 that is substantially vertically disposed through fulcrum sleeve 80. Fulcrum sleeve 80 can further comprise apex 82 disposed on a top surface thereof, which can act as a fulcrum point for disk 20 to pivot thereupon. When golf ball 13 enters hole liner cup 12, it will come to rest on top of disk 20, which will tilt downwards on the side of apex 82 where golf ball 13 has come to rest. To retrieve golf ball 13 from hole liner cup 12, a golfer can use their golf club to eject the golf ball using the method as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C by applying a downward force onto the raised side of disk 20, which can then pivot on apex 82 to eject golf ball 13 out of hole liner cup 12.

Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments without changing or departing from their scope, intent or functionality. The terms and expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow. 

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for retrieving a golf ball from a hole comprising a hole liner cup configured for receiving a flagstick ferrule of a flagstick, the apparatus comprising: a) a disk configured to be disposed in the hole and further disposed around a shaft of the flagstick when the flagstick ferrule is inserted into the hole liner cup, the disk further configured to support the golf ball when the golf ball is putted into the hole; and b) a disk support mechanism, wherein the disk is configured to rotate or tilt on or about the disk support mechanism whereupon the golf ball is ejected out of the hole when the disk is rotated or tilted on or about the disk support mechanism.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the disk comprises an opening disposed therethrough, the opening configured to allow the shaft of the flagstick to pass therethrough.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the disk is substantially circular and is configured to rotate or tilt within the hole without binding with the hole or the hole liner cup.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the disk further comprises a slot opening providing communication from the opening to an edge of the disk, the slot opening permitting the disk to be placed around the shaft of the flagstick by twisting or manipulating the disk.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the disk support mechanism comprises a tilt lever collar comprising upper and lower ends, the collar configured to be disposed around the shaft with the lower end disposed above the flagstick ferrule, the upper end comprising an angled face wherein the disk comprises an angled or tilted position when resting on top of the upper end, the disk further configured to tilt or rotate on the upper end when a linear force is applied downwardly on the disk thereby ejecting the golf ball from the hole.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the tilt lever collar further comprises a slot opening, the slot opening permitting the tilt lever collar to be spread open and be placed around the shaft of the flagstick.
 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the tilt lever collar further comprises two halves that are configured to be placed around the shaft of the flagstick and be fastened together with fasteners.
 8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the disk support mechanism comprises a pivot axle rotatably coupling the disk to the flagstick.
 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the disk support mechanism comprises a pivot pin disposed through the flagstick, the pivot pin configured to support the disk when the disk in a resting position on top of the pivot pin.
 10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the disk comprises hinge pins extending outwardly on opposing edges thereof, and the disk support mechanism comprises hinge pin holes disposed on opposing sidewalls of the hole liner cup configured to receive the hinge pins, wherein the disk rotates or tilts about the hinge pins.
 11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the disk support mechanism comprises a cylindrical sleeve configured to be disposed in the hole liner cup, the cylindrical sleeve further comprising an apex configured for the disk to pivot thereupon.
 12. A method for retrieving a golf ball from a hole comprising a hole liner cup configured for receiving a flagstick ferrule of a flagstick, the method comprising the steps of: a) receiving an apparatus for retrieving the golf ball, the apparatus comprising: i) a disk configured to be disposed in the hole and further disposed around a shaft of the flagstick when the flagstick ferrule is inserted into the hole liner cup, the disk further configured to support the golf ball when the golf ball is putted into the hole, and ii) a disk support mechanism, wherein the disk is configured to rotate or tilt on or about the disk support mechanism whereupon the golf ball is ejected out of the hole when the disk is rotated or tilted on or about the disk support mechanism; b) installing the apparatus in the hole; and c) when the golf ball is in the hole, applying a downward linear force onto the disk whereupon the disk is rotated or tilted thereby ejecting the golf ball from the hole.
 13. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the disk comprises an opening disposed therethrough, the opening configured to allow the shaft of the flagstick to pass therethrough.
 14. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the disk is substantially circular and is configured to rotate or tilt within the hole without binding with the hole or the hole liner cup.
 15. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the disk further comprises a slot opening providing communication from the opening to an edge of the disk, the slot opening permitting the disk to be placed around the shaft of the flagstick by twisting or manipulating the disk.
 16. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the disk support mechanism comprises a tilt lever collar comprising upper and lower ends, the collar configured to be disposed around the shaft with the lower end disposed above the flagstick ferrule, the upper end comprising an angled face wherein the disk comprises an angled or tilted position when resting on top of the upper end, the disk further configured to tilt or rotate on the upper end when a linear force is applied downwardly on the disk thereby ejecting the golf ball from the hole.
 17. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the tilt lever collar further comprises a slot opening, the slot opening permitting the tilt lever collar to be spread open and be placed around the shaft of the flagstick.
 18. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the tilt lever collar further comprises two halves that are configured to be placed around the shaft of the flagstick and be fastened together with fasteners.
 19. The method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising rotating or tilting the disk about a pivot axle rotatably coupled the disk to the flagstick.
 20. The method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising rotating or tilting the disk on a pivot pin disposed through the flagstick, the pivot pin configured to support the disk when the disk in a resting position on top of the pivot pin.
 21. The method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising rotating or tilting the disk about hinge pins extending outwardly from opposing edges thereof.
 22. The method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising rotating or tilting the disk on an apex disposed on a cylindrical sleeve disposed in the hole liner cup. 